Stray dogs in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) have adapted to survive in a highly radioactive environment, according to a study published in March 2023 in the Canine Medicine and Genetics journal.
Following the catastrophic explosion of the Number 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 28, 1986, which released significant radioactive material, approximately 350,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. Decades later, stray dogs believed to be descendants of pets left behind are thriving in this toxic environment.
Researchers collected blood samples from 116 stray dogs and found genomic variations that suggest adaptation to radiation exposure. Dr. Norman J. Kleiman, an environmental health scientist at Columbia University, noted, "Somehow, two small populations of dogs managed to survive in that highly toxic environment." The study identified 52 genes potentially associated with environmental contamination from the nuclear disaster.
The findings indicate that the dogs have developed mutations that allow them to withstand the radiation. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how environmental hazards affect both animal and human populations. Previous studies have also shown that other species, such as wolves, exhibit resilience to radiation in the area.
Dr. Matthew Breen from NC State emphasized the importance of this research, stating, "The overarching question here is: does an environmental disaster of this magnitude have a genetic impact on life in the region?" The study serves as a foundation for further investigations into the genetic impacts of chronic exposure to radiation.